Education for NJ attorneys –AAA Foundation study found teen accident rates to be lower after graduated driver license program was started.
New Jersey’s GDL program has lowered accidents of 17-year-old drivers.
Trenton, NJ (www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – The New Jersey Graduated Driver License Program is a state program that requires persons under the age of 21, whom have never had their license, to complete a period of supervised driving before obtaining a basic driver license. The system introduces driver privileges in phases. According to reports from a recent study, the program is paying off with substantial decreases in teen crashes and injuries, as reported by the Asbury Park Press.
The AAA Foundation for Safety study of New Jersey’s GDL program compared accident statistics from 1998-2000 with rates from 2002-2005. The GDL law was enacted in 2001. Upon comparison, the AAA Foundation for Safety named the program a model for leadership and credited the provisions for the drop in fatal crashes among 17-year-olds.
According to the program’s website, which was created by policymakers and the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, drivers are not only required to complete chaperoned hours, but face a number of restrictions:
• Drivers may not drive between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Drivers may not have more than one friend in the car.
• Drivers may not use a cell phone (including hands free) or any other hand-held electronic device.
• Drivers must ensure that they and all others in car are wearing seatbelts.
• Drivers must submit a log of their supervised practice driving time upon taking a road test.
If violations occur, the driver faces a fine of $100 and possible license suspension. The driver also may not plea-bargain any point-carrying offense.
The website and APP report that changes will be implemented on May 1, 2010. For those with the GDL license, the curfew will become 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and the name of the provisional license will be newly labeled as “probationary.” Furthermore, GDL participants will be required to display a decal on the vehicle’s front and rear license plate stating GDL status.
There will be no grandfathering of existing permit and provisional license holders.
The changes are part of the state’s attempts to increase the involvement of parents and parental figures in the teen-driving process. A bill is currently in the works that would require parents of under-18 drivers to attend a driver orientation course. It would also increase the driver license provisionary period from six months to a year.
Many New Jersey schools have implemented programs and regulations to stress the importance of teen-driving safety. Freehold Regional and Randolph High School require parents of 11th grade students to take a driver safety orientation class with their teens before issuing parking permits. Many schools and vocational centers offer teen driving safety courses.
The study found that 32 percent fewer 17-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes after the GDL provisions were instated. After midnight rates results were even better. The crash rate between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. dropped by 44 percent for 17-year-olds after the GDL provisions came into effect.
The report concluded, “Substantial reductions were observed in all police-reported crashes, injury-only crashes and fatal crashes of 17-year-olds in New Jersey subsequent to GDL implementation…There is good evidence from this study that the nighttime restriction has been an effective GDL component.”
Legal News Reporter: Tara Monks – Legal news for New Jersey attorneys.